The Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. The City of Houston, through HPD, applied for the FY2021 Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This grant allows HPD to continue to reduce the exploitation of children by expanding the number of affiliate law enforcement agencies and personnel dedicated to investigating and prosecuting Internet-related crimes against children. The grant period is from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 but has been extended to December 31, 2022.
The target geographical area of the grant program is the Houston Metropolitan Area, which includes incorporated as well as unincorporated areas of Harris County, Texas; and all areas of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties. As the lead agency, HPD is entering into an Interlocal Agreement with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office which will complete the special condition requirement of the grant for this year’s funding.
Pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement, the City of Houston will use $105,655.00 in grant funds to reimburse the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office for allowable expenses, including a portion of the salary and benefits of its investigator participating in the FY2021 Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
_______________________________________
Troy Finner
Chief of Police